Substitute teacher hopes to fill A's need

A'S

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Oakland Athletics Wes Timmons takes part in team practice prior to the start of their spring training game with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Ariz. Friday, March 11, 2011.

Oakland Athletics Wes Timmons takes part in team practice prior to the start of their spring training game with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Ariz. Friday, March 11, 2011.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Substitute teacher hopes to fill A's need

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Phoenix --

Scott Sizemore's season ended before it really began, when the spikes on his left shoe stuck in the turf Saturday during the A's first full-squad workout.

In his first public comments since tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament, the third baseman said that while coming in for a bunt during drills, he tried move to his right, but his left foot stayed planted while everything else shifted direction.

Then, Sizemore said, "When I transferred my weight back, my knee gave out on me. ... It was a freak accident. I could do that a million times and it would never happen again."

Sizemore, on crutches and with his leg in a brace, said that he knew that the news would not be great - he figured two months of rehab even as a best-case scenario - but learning that he'd miss all of the 2012 season was difficult.

"I was definitely amped up. I'd worked my tail off to get in the best shape I could to help this team win," he said. "It's just devastating not to be a part of this team."

The common sentiment in the clubhouse Tuesday was sympathy.

"It's not about us, it's about Scott," assistant general manager David Forst said, "You just feel bad for him."

After Sizemore arrived in camp in top-notch shape, Melvin said he told the third baseman that he'd drive in 95 runs and score 85. "Scott said, 'You're a little short: 20 (homers) and 100 (RBIs),' " Melvin said. "No one will work harder or be more focused than him next year."

Forst confirmed that Josh Donaldson, who has moved over from catcher, will get the first shot at the third-base job, but he said the team will look at all internal candidates and also possibilities outside the organization. The Angels' Alberto Callaspo is on the team's radar, and other third basemen are likely to become available as rosters shape up.

Wes Timmons is the A's lone non-roster infielder, and at 33, Timmons hasn't played in the majors after 10 seasons of pro ball. A substitute teacher at Chets Creek Elementary School in Jacksonville, Fla., in the offseason, Timmons would be a real feel-good story if he ever makes it.

"You look at his numbers and you're puzzled why he hasn't gotten a shot," Melvin said. "If he looks at where we are right now and how many infielders we have, he's probably encouraged this is the best chance he's had to get to the big leagues."

"It is, I know it," Timmons said. "I'm not a prototype third baseman, but could I play third base every day in the big leagues? I think so. Am I going to hit 30-35 home runs? No. I think if you give Scott 500 at-bats, he's more that kind of player."

Timmons would be happy to win any spot on the 25-man roster at any time, especially after last year, when in midseason, he was sent from Triple-A Sacramento to Double-A Midland.

"Was I excited to be demoted to Double-A at the age of 32? Of course not," he said. "But my job is to honor my contract. I called home and talked to my wife and we decided it was my duty."

Timmons gets a lot of grief in the clubhouse for his age - he's one of the older players, despite his lack of big-league experience - and he stands out for his billowing mane of hair. When infielders were looking at field assignments on Tuesday, a coach suggested, "Follow Timmons' hair."

"It's big," Melvin said.

Outfielder Jonny Gomes added, "He'll be the first player in baseball history with a V05 contract."

Timmons' locks are often held back by a headband, "soccer style," according to Jemile Weeks. "It's interesting," said Weeks, who sports dreadlocks. "I like it, though. It's flowing nicely."